Circular Head recognised for stunning turnaround of home ground

A Tasmanian football ground which was one unfit for play has been recognised for its stunning redevelopment with an award. Catch up on the latest in Sport Shorts.

Circular Head has been recognised for its redevelopment.

Tasmanians are continuing to make their mark on the sporting world.

Keep up to date with all the achievements in The Mercury’s Sport Shorts.

Hale shines on return from injury

— Shane Jones

Tasmanian athletics star Jack Hale has made a successful return from injury and is already eyeing bigger goals.

The 26-year-old claimed the Ballarat Gift in Victoria on Sunday to cap a near perfect return to running.

Hale blew away his rivals to win off a 2m handicap.

“I’m so excited to be back running,” he said.

“I’m in a much better position than I’ve been for years.

“A good day to get out there, run three good races over 24 hours and show what I’m capable of this year.

“This was a side quest that turned into a good fun weekend of racing.”

While one weekend doesn’t make a comeback complete the win has Hale dreaming he can make a return to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next year.

“I think the fact we have a Comm Games in a year and a half for me is fantastic,” he said.

“I’ll be 28 in the next one.

“I did count myself out a little bit about nine months ago (due to injury).

“So to have something to look forward like that for me is something I need.”

For now though the focus is on the national championships in April.

And he might then add the Stawell Gift to his schedule if everything goes to plan.

“I’ve been there multiple times so I think the stars are aligning a bit this year where it’s the week following nationals for me,” he said.

“The event I’m prioritising in nationals to be able to follow on the week after could be a goer.”

An honour for Circular Head

— Jake Garland

The dramatic turnaround of the Circular Head Recreation Ground has been recognised with the venue’s surface restoration project winning the 2024 Ken Gannon Community Football Facilities Award.

Once a muddy quagmire unfit for play, the venue was transformed into one of the finest playing surfaces in North West Tasmania.

The prestigious Ken Gannon Awards celebrate excellence in community football facility development, with Circular Head Recreation Grounds $700,500 upgrade taking out Tasmania’s top honour.

Home to the Circular Heard Saints in the North West Football League, the ground also hosts the grand final and other marquee matches.

For years, poor drainage left the field waterlogged, making maintenance a constant struggle.

In 2023, the Circular Head Saints were even forced to relocate several matches, adding further challenges as they worked to rebuild after returning from recess in 2022.

Circular Head Saints secretary, Keith Billing said, the poor condition of the ground nearly sent the club back into recess.

“As a regional community club, we walk a tightrope every year and having been forced to give away or transfer home games previously due to the ground being a boggy quagmire, it put us under enormous pressure to continue.

“These upgrades mean we now have some of the best surface conditions in the NWFL, and we can’t wait to continue to grow with these facilities in 2025 and beyond.”

The project called for a custom drainage solution designed to meet the venue’s unique challenges.

Subsoil drainage pipes were carefully positioned to work around existing irrigation, while the depth of the pipes and sand-slit drainage were adjusted accordingly.

A sand carpet layer was also installed to enhance surface stability.

Through a strong partnership between Circular Head Council, The Baker Group and SPORTENG, the upgrade has delivered a high-quality, reliable playing surface which is now regarded as one of the best in the state.